Finding BOM on Dana 44 & steering damper issues

[destiny71]

I seem to be having difficulties IDing the front end on my truck.   75 GMC K2500.

For reference, this pic is just like the setup on my truck.  Except the source site mentions this as being a Dana 60.  But the tie rod & damper setup is just like what I'm working with.

The diff housing is clearly marked 44-8F on the bottom of the drivers side.  On the top flange it's marked (2 lines)  1  38336
Gear ratio tag reads 40-11 4.09

I have attacked this thing all along the drivers side tube with a wire brush, and find no other markings.

It all comes down to simply having problems with the steering damper.   The shaft was bent, and the bushing on the tie rod end completely gone.

I went to the parts store, and got a replacement based on the year/model of the vehicle.  I'm running into a problem with the tie rod end mount.  Trying to mount it, the bolt will not go through the tie rod.  The threaded part will, but the shoulder is a bigger diameter than the hole.  The original was nothing more than a long bolt, and a metal collar was in the bushing, preventing crushing. The new bolt has a taper.   I can not see a taper in the hole.

Am I running into an issue with a different front end than stock? 

[Engineer]

4.09 gear ratio should be a 45-11 combination.

It could be that your tie rod is aftermarket, and the combination of different aftermarket parts are conspiring to give you the trouble.

Can you reuse the old bolt?

[destiny71]

Sorry, yes.  45-11

I had thought about that.   The bushing in the new one has a smaller diameter.  The collar off the old one may be able to be pressed into it, but it's also longer than the bushing.  Not sure if this will cause any problems.

There was a metal collar in the box with the new one.  It can not be used with the bolt shown here.  OD is the same as the collar on the bolt.  The ID is smaller than the hole in the tie rod.  So, the original bolt will not to through it.

[Jason S]

If your steering stabilizer is setup like the photo you posted, then it is the '77-up style steering setup. The steering was changed sometime in '77, but based on what you posted it is the later version steering setup.

If you go to this thread and scroll down, I have photos that will show a '77-up (or late '77 up) style Dana 44 front axle as well as the '76-down (or early '77 down) Dana 44.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,24136.msg202369.html#msg202369

[destiny71]

Yes, thank you.  I did fine your post in that thread a few days after I posted my question.  The pics of the later version match exactly what I have.  Direction of damper, etc. So, it appears the front end has been swapped. 

I haven't had a chance to visit the parts store and check out a damper from a later model.  Hopefully, it's a straight shaft to match the hole in my tie rod.  And, I can just exchange the damper, and remember this for next time.


Still confused as to why I can't find a BOM on the axle.  That would at least tell me where this front end came from. 
Am I correct that it should be on the front side of the long tube, right of the pumpkin (looking from front of truck)?  And, is it stamped into the metal, or printed/painted?

[Jason S]

Honestly, I would have to do some additional research to tell you where to look, but it may be stamped on the top of the long axle tube? Again, I'd have to look it up to be sure...